Dept faced by impact of dire drought

During the current financial year alone the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has received applications for the sinking of boreholes in close to 160 villages for the exclusive use of livestock owned by farmers who are hit by prevailing drought conditions.
According to departmental spokesperson Selby Makgotho 156 requests for the drilling of boreholes in villages had been received thus far during this financial year and they were still getting more from across all districts of the province while prioritising those areas hardest hit. Thus far Mopani, Vhembe and Sekhukhune districts have been adversely affected, although the remainder of the province was also suffering from the current situation.
He raised concern over reports received of people using the same water from those boreholes which was not always safe for human consumption and warned against it.
As opposed to initial departmental information about 31 boreholes being drilled at a cost of R13,2 million across the province since last year as quoted in last week’s edition of Polokwane Observer, Makgotho provided new statistics of the drilling of 60 boreholes at a cost of R17 million having been completed across Limpopo since the beginning of the year. Providing additional information on the matter, he referred to communities and individual farmers in the Blouberg, Ephraim Mogale, Giyani, Lepelle-Nkumpi, Lephalale, Letaba, Makhado, Maruleng, Modimolle, Mogalakwena, Molemole, Musina, Polokwane, Thabazimbi, Thulamela, Tubatse and Tzaneen municipal areas having been assisted thus far. He stressed that it was the responsibility of the community to take care of the boreholes as it was their only source of water supply to their animals, which in turn was impacting on their livelihood.
Drought aid distributed by the department to date includes fodder to smallholder farmers. According to Makgotho fodder was being distributed to farmers from all districts who have registered for assistance. In terms of the arrangement they are given three bags of fodder once a month, delivered to the 67 distribution points set up across Limpopo.
Makgotho referred to a situation of despair that made it very painful to witness farmers losing livestock due to drought. He referred to MEC Mapula Mokaba Phukwana, who was recently re-deployed to the portfolio, getting acquainted with the situation during road shows to all districts. The first has been held held at Tompi Seleka Agricultural College last week where she met with management, staff and stakeholders and warned against the display of nepotism and favouritism where fodder distribution was concerned, Makgotho added.
In the meantime the impact of the drought remains severe. The latest photos of the effects of the climatic conditions in Limpopo were received from the Modjadjiskloof area depicting a dire situation experienced by communities around Modjadji Dam, which is seemingly running on near empty.

Story: YOLANDE NEL
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